Good-Bye, Chunky Rice

Craig Thompson's debut graphic novel, published by Top Shelf in 1999, is a tender and visually poetic fable about a small turtle named Chunky Rice and his bittersweet farewell to his dearest friend, a mouse. The entire story is crafted solely by Thompson, whose expressive, detailed linework and wordless storytelling convey a profound sense of loss, longing, and the quiet courage of moving on. Though a single, self-contained issue, it remains a foundational work that announced Thompson's unique voice and his ability to find epic emotion in the smallest of creatures.